Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Winner vs. Losers of Technology

I was recently asked to write a paper on a topic covered in my class for COMM For those who would like to know more about this topic...please read below.


Winners and Losers of Technology

Technology has been around for longer than some may think. I cannot recall a time when technology wasn’t in use and it continues to be in use because of how easy life has become for those who use it. There are “winners” and “losers” of technology. When most hear these terms, they might get a confused look on their face. The true losers are those individuals who have the access and knowledge but do not use it to their advantage. Winners of technology are individuals who have the access to the computer or other forms of technology and use it to its full capabilities and who use technology every day. For example, my sister sets reminders on her phone so she does not have to remember things on her own, depends on the calculator to solve her problems, and will text because she is shy and doesn’t have to talk face to face. As many would think that she probably over does it, she is using technology to its full purpose therefore she is winning. My dad on the other hand still writes things down but forgets where he put it or can’t find a pen at that exact moment. He is “losing” all of the advantages technology has to offer. Technology has made an easier way of life for most and if it is there, use it.

Another example of a “loser” in technology would be an individual who uses basic technology in the work place because it is required. Once the individual is away from work, technology is not used. Technology can make everyday life a little easier for everyone but you have to take the time to learn. By not learning, you are losing and making things harder on yourself.

There are many benefits that come with the use of technology. Schools have started to switch to online books and online courses. This helps school districts to save money on textbooks. College students are able to use the “e-books” to benefit by saving money each semester and are able to make notes just as easy, if not easier, on the computer-based textbooks and have the ability to erase anything highlighted. It has been argued before that too much exposure to technology can prevent unwanted behaviors in school-aged children. According to a survey completed in the Spring of 2000 “when children between the ages of 2 and 17 have access to computers and video games as well as television, they spend, on average, about 5 hours a day in front of some type of screen, over an hour more than children without such access.This would be an example of a “loser” of technology. Evidence has also been shown to link obesity with excessive television and video games during one sitting. Another benefit of using technology is speed and time saved. Just think of how long it would take to write a midterm paper versus if it was typed. It saves time and doubles your speed.

            Educators who use technology based learning have a better outcome of the students learning the material than the educators who use technology less frequently. A survey was conducted and targeted educators in grades K-12 which consisted of 783 teachers and 274 administrators. The survey was aimed to see how many educators use technology in the classroom. The findings showed a great difference in the number of teachers who used technology in their classroom and those who did not. According to the survey, “new and experienced teachers were about as likely to be "frequent" users of technology in the classroom as they were to be "moderate," "sporadic," or "infrequent" users” (Nagel, 2010).

            Technology is and always will be our future because it continues to grow. New and improved devices are created every day to make things simple. Applications are constantly having upgrades that need to be downloaded whether there is a bug to fix or something has been added. According to the Digital Divide Institute, “the digital divide is not simply about access to technology.” The digital divide goes beyond basic access meaning the lack of access someone might have to the internet because of knowledge or finances. Technology can help people but it can also break people. You decide what you do with it, just make sure you are using it to your advantage and to its upmost potential.

References:

Nagel, D. (2010, June 28). Teachers Report Educational Benefits of Frequent Technology Use -- THE Journal. Retrieved September 10, 2014. 
Shields, M., & Behrman, R. (2000). Children and Computer Technology: Analysis and Recommendations. The Future of Children, 10(2), 4-4.
Bryant, B. (n.d.). Benefits of Technology in Business. Retrieved September 10, 2014, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-technology-business-336.html
Digital Divide Institute (2010).  Digital divide defined (hint: it’s not about access).  Retrieved from http://www.digitaldivide.org/digitaldivide/digitaldividedefined/digitaldivide.html.
xoxo,
Megan Claire

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